If you’re wondering if this is a 1990 Go West reference, then wonder no more. 

In this pod we chat through the wishful thinking aka “toxic optimism” aka blind faith that is so very easy to adopt in business life. 

And while we are all for optimism, and seeing the best in people, and seeing a positive future for your business, sometimes burying your head in the sand can come with some serious ramifications. 

Take these three examples as case in point: 

Example 1: “I’ll just work harder and then the money will come”. It’s been years now. 

Example 2: “I’ll catch up on this 10 quotes today”. Um, there is a week worth of work to do here. 

Example 3: “I’ll smash this rough in out in 3 days”. Ah yeh, that’s a 5 day job for 2 people. 

In all these cases, no one wins and everyone (especially yourself) is under some serious pressure (and stress). 

We are huge believers that the best results happen when hard work meets smart work. 

Were are high believers that you need to have vision, but you also need to know where your business is at. 

So what do you do from here? 

Set the vision, work out where you are, set your goals, and then work hard toward bridging the gap. 

Life is too short to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result. 

Get after it, and enjoy the pod x 

Keywords

business, optimism, planning, productivity, profits, management, scheduling, efficiency, communication, goal setting

Summary

In this conversation, the speakers discuss the concept of 'wishful thinking' in business, emphasizing the importance of balancing optimism with realistic planning and proactive management. They explore how business owners often fall into the trap of believing everything will work out without taking necessary actions, leading to potential pitfalls in productivity and profitability. The discussion covers various aspects of business management, including goal setting, client communication, and the need for efficiency in operations.

Takeaways

Business owners often have an incredible threshold for hope and optimism.

It's crucial to confront reality rather than burying your head in the sand.

Goals without proper goal setting can lead to false hope.

Proactive management is essential to avoid being reactive.

Wishful thinking can have significant ramifications on profits and productivity.

Regular communication with clients helps maintain control over projects.

Optimism must be balanced with realistic planning and execution.

Inefficient businesses tend to have low profitability and high staff turnover.

Understanding workload and client expectations is vital for success.

Organizational efficiency directly impacts staff retention and business performance.

Titles

Confronting Wishful Thinking in Business

Balancing Optimism and Reality

Sound bites

"You have to have your head in the future."

"You need to plan this out."

"Look after your product and profit."

Chapters

00:00 The King of Wishful Thinking

01:16 Confronting Reality in Business

03:29 The Balance of Optimism and Planning

05:21 Understanding Workload and Client Expectations

10:16 Proactive vs. Reactive Business Management

11:47 Taking Control of Profits and Productivity

14:11 The Dangers of Toxic Optimism

17:01 The Importance of Scheduling and Communication

20:07 Efficiency in Operations

22:58 The Disconnect Between Planning and Execution

25:08 Organizational Efficiency and Staff Retention